Workforce Solutions

Since 1977, CEI has been involved in workforce development. Initially our national demonstration projects were funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Ford Foundation, and utilized the strategy of stimulating the creation of jobs by investing in Maine's entrepreneurs. While we now have other funders, we continue this tradition. Dedicated to the employment issues of people with low incomes and those at risk of poverty, CEI has developed a model to increase economic self-sufficiency of people with low incomes by facilitating access to those jobs.

This model involves four strategies:

Implement Employment Training Agreements (ETAG), the keystone of CEI's workforce development strategy. This "social compact" between financed businesses and CEI targets a percentage of newly created jobs for low-income individuals.
Act as a workforce intermediary to connect these businesses looking for qualified workers to low-income job seekers looking for quality employment and seeking to advance their careers.
Provide human resources support to the businesses in CEI’s lending portfolio. Link businesses with resources to upgrade the skills of their workforce and provide training for new workers, as well as broker services for businesses that enhance their bottom line and support growth.
Develop innovative projects that yield best practices and training models proven to help job seekers find and keep jobs.

CEI’s approach to workforce development is recognized nationally for its creative models and impact for creating economic opportunity for people with low incomes and those at risk of poverty. The Workforce Solutions team is actively engaged in federal and state policy and advocacy coalitions that strive to inform and shape public policies that benefit job seekers, workers and businesses.

For more information, visit:

Maine Department of Labor Workforce Development Programs

Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine (DHC)

Current Projects:

Green Business Training and Job Creation

CEI has new funding from the U.S. Department of Labor for a training initiative designed to link new and existing job-creating/retaining green small businesses with training funds to upgrade the skills of unemployed and existing workers. This free, 18-month initiative focuses on workforce training to help grow these businesses in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Penobscot, Hancock and Piscataquis Counties in Maine. FMI, call Christa Baade, 201-882-7552. Download application for training funds here.

The GREEN Revolving Loan Fund

Funding from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services will allow CEI to finance new or expanding green, clean-energy and job-creating/retaining small businesses. The loans will average $150,000. Funds are targeted to Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Androscoggin, Kennebec or Penobscot counties. Employment opportunities created by CEI's new GREEN Revolving Loan Fund will be targeted to low to moderate-income individuals. FMI, call Gerard Salvo, 207-772-5356.

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (TDL) Collaborative

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Job Opportunities for Low Income People, the TDL project is a three-year job creation program that will provide progressive skills training to 75 low-income people, preparing workers for competitive job opportunities within the dynamic and growing TDL sector in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

Portland Regional Initiative for Manufacturing Employment (PRIME)

Three-year funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services project allows CEI to offer the PRIME revolving loan fund. 75% of the jobs created are targeted to Temporary Assistance to Needy recipients and other low-income people. The Manufacturers Association of Maine (MAMe) is a partner in the project.

To help create economically and environmentally healthy communities in which all people,
especially those with low incomes, can reach their full potential.

36 Water Street, PO Box 268, Wiscasset, ME 04578; Telephone: 207/882-7552; FAX: 207/882-7308; E-mail Login Logout